Le Guen backs misfiring Buffel

Sunday 30 July 2006 23:00 BST

Rangers manager Paul Le Guen refused to criticise Thomas Buffel after the Belgian's profligacy in front of goal almost cost the team victory in their Bank of Scotland Premier League opener against Motherwell at Fir Park.

The Frenchman's tenure began with a nervy 2-1 victory in a match that could have been out of the Steelman's reach by half time had Buffel not spurned three clear-cut chances. In the end Dado Prso's 63rd-minute header ensured the win after Motherwell midfielder Phil O'Donnell had equalised after the break.

"I am relieved because we had so many chances to win the game that we had to be rewarded with a victory," Le Guen said. "I did not speak to Thomas after the game because I don't want him to worry about it, he will score in the following games."

He added: "And the most important thing is that we got three points.

"I know that he is able to score in such positions and the most important thing for me is that he knows how to create chances and he has the capacity to put them away.

"But I was very happy with the game, it was good for our confidence. We knew that Celtic and Hearts had won yesterday so it was very important not to lose points.

"And the way we played was very encouraging because we had so many chances and we played well."

Motherwell manager Maurice Malpas, also making his debut as boss, enjoyed his first game in the hotseat but admits his side were let off the hook in the first half.

Malpas, who moved up to manager from coach after Terry Butcher departed for Australia at the end of last season, said: "It seemed like a normal day in the dug-out for me. I was frustrated and excited at times but I enjoyed it.

"The positives I can take from the game are in our performance in the second 45 minutes. I was disappointed in the first-half performance, we were a yard off the pace and stood off them at times."